Rory McIlroys ‘6 Bags Project’ to support children’s charities

The world’s number one golfer and 2012 US PGA tour player of the year, Rory McIlroy has released details of his first fundraising initiative of The Rory Foundation today, in Holywood, County Down.

The Irish golfer will officially open his 2013 world tour in Abu Dhabi next week, launching The 6 Bags Project.

McIlroy named his first project "6 Bags," since in his first six tournaments he plays for the first four months of 2013, Rory will feature the name of a different children’s charity on his golf bag. During the tournament fans may bid on the bags through www.roryfoundation.com with all proceeds going directly to the featured charity.

The aim where possible is that each charity will be active within the community where the tournament is being held.

According to the Rory Foundation Website, McIlroy says, “When I was younger my parents sacrificed everything to allow me to play the game I love. Having that support from my family gave me the opportunity to chase my dreams.”

“But I know that every child is not so fortunate. My aim is that the Rory Foundation will support children’s charities big and small around the world that try to give kids that helping hand,” he explains on his website.

The first charity whose logo will be carried on the golf bag in Abu Dhabi is a charity from Rory’s hometown, The Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC).

Gillian Cleery, CEO for the charity said today, “We are so proud to be the first of the 6 nominated charities benefiting from The 6 Bags project. This association with Rory will not only have a significant impact on children and young people who look up to Rory and are inspired by him, but will also help to maintain Rory’s very important links to Northern Ireland as he moves increasingly into a global circuit.”

“Our aim is to create a brand new therapeutic centre for children and their families, any monies raised from being part of The 6 Bags Project will go towards fulfilling this dream”, she explained.

Gerry McIlroy, Rory’s father, who is one of four trustees of The Rory Foundation, said: “Myself and my wife Rosie are very proud of what Rory has achieved on and off the golf course. The creation of this Foundation is, for Rory, we feel a natural progression and is ultimately about giving back.”

The 6 Bags Project is the first in a number of innovative fundraisers that The Rory Foundation is going to be involved with during 2013.

As Rory himself said from Abu Dhabi: “I had a childhood, a great childhood and if The Rory Foundation can help one child achieve a better quality of life then job done.”